Guangzhou: Defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande warmed up for the resumption of the AFC Champions League campaign on Friday with a 2-0 win over derby rivals Guangzhou R&F in the Chinese Super League.
The Southern China Tigers broke the deadlock at the Tianhe Stadium on the half-hour mark when Ricardo Goulart burst into the area before cutting the ball back to the edge of the six-yard box to find Paulinho (pictured), who firmly planted his first-time effort past Cheng Yuelei.
With ten minutes remaining, they went on to wrap up the win after lovely play by Paulinho saw him flick the ball over a defender and play a pass through to Jackson Martinez, who lashed a ferocious half-volley into the bottom corner.
The scoreline flattered the hosts considering their opponents were arguably the better side throughout the 90 minutes, although coach Luiz Felipe Scolari looked a satisfied man at the final whistle having seen his side move top of the Super League.
The victory comes as a much-needed confidence boost for Evergrande, who will now be looking to carry their form into Tuesday’s crucial Champions League tie away to Urawa Red Diamonds at the Saitama Stadium 2002.
Despite their status as reigning champions, Scolari’s charges have failed to fire in Asia so far in 2016 and are currently bottom in Group H with just two points from their opening three matches.
In Friday’s other Super League game, there was no such joy for Shandong Luneng as they were beaten 2-0 by Hangzhou Greentown.
After just eight minutes at the Huanglong Stadium, Luo Jing fired Hangzhou ahead when he met an over-the-top long pass with an excellent volley past Wang Dalei.
Just five minutes later, the hosts won possession in the middle of the ground and carved open the opposition defence with a sweeping counterattack, paving the way for Davy Claude Angan to score with a clinical finish – which ultimately proved enough for the three points.
Unlike Evergrande, Shandong have had better results in the Champions League thus far and are three points behind Group F leaders FC Seoul in second, ahead of Tuesday’s visit to the K League Classic giants.
China’s two other representatives in Asia’s premier club competition – Jiangsu FC and Shanghai SIPG – are both in action over the weekend against Hebei CFFC and Shijiazhuang Ever Bright respectively.
Photo: AFP
Source: the-afc.com